Despite the Joy of Jazz concert starting in Ghana in 2013 and Zambia in 2014, with Malawi having launched it in 2012, the two countries have seen theirs outgrow Malawi’s.
They hold it over two days while Malawi’s remains a night’s show.
During the 2016 edition, Zambia hosted British reggae and pop band UB40 who performed on both days while Ghana had Bob James, the two-time Grammy Award winner and smooth jazz keyboardist.
pre-event on Sunday
So, when will Malawi graduate from that one-day show?
“Soon,” said Standard Bank head of marketing and communications Thoko Unyolo, arguing the event is not just held in a night.
“It is two days because the first is for our top tier clients and then the show which is open to the public the following day.”
South Africa’s Zahara headlined Malawi’s first event followed by award-winning United States artist Earl Klugh.
The concept later changed to Blue Mingoli to give it a local touch.
This year’s main act Zonke arrives on November 4, ahead of her performance at Bingu International Convention Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe the following day.
Unyolo said the bank’s corporate social responsibility programme will see Zonke interacting with primary school girls in Dedza whom staff from the bank are mentoring.
This year’s Blue Mingoli is under the theme More Than Music. n
